Many people have basic behaviour or training problems with their dogs and find it hard to know where to turn for help.  It sometimes seems that many people act like instant experts on dog training and will give much, and sometimes conflicting advice, which may not be helpful.  In order to help dog owners I have compiled some fact sheets (see the following sub pages) to help with some of the most common behaviour or training problems.  At the very least they should give you a better understanding of how to proceed.

I hold a Masters of Science degree in companion animal behaviour couselling (Southampton University) as well as being a Registered Veterinary Nurse.  I  have spent more than 30 years helping owners of all breeds with training or behaviour problems and sometimes get more telephone enquiries than I can reasonably deal with.  However, for some problems there is an underlying veterinary cause and therefore it is important to ensure your dog has a Veterinary check up, prior to consulting a qualified behaviourist, to rule out any problems which may also need veterinary attention.  Your Veterinary Surgeon should be able to help here.  Such problems might include, for example:  aggresion towards humans or towards other dogs, obcessive compulsive disorders such as constant tail chasing or self licking or mutilation.    In any case even if veterinary treatment is advised you will probably also need to consult a behaviourist at the same time to help you carry out a behavioural modification programme alongside any veterinary treatment required.    

A book that I would reccomend to readers is David Appleby's Ain't Misbehaving as this covers many more aspects of problem behaviour than I have covered here.

Joy Venturi Rose MSc BA Ed (Hons) RVN  SQP